Introducing Chaplain Wagg

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 635, 7 May 1996, Page 5

Introducing Chaplain Wagg

By

Michele

Monaghan

You'd think someone would have settled into Waiouru after a few months, but in Chaplain Julian Wagg's case he has a stock standard answer — "ask me after winter." Who can blame him? Chaplain Wagg recently came from Takaka, Golden Bay. His parishioners in Takaka obviously felt for him, they farewelled him with presents of thermal underwear. Father Wagg belongs to the Wellington Diocese and before his four years in Takaka spent eight years at Burnham Military Camp, near Christchurch. He says his time in Takaka was vastly different to the military way of living with the main differences being age and lifestyle. "It's a beautiful place, lovely people, an interesting mixture of people, Europeans, Germans, Americans and then there' s the alternative lifestyle. It's very different from anywhere with caravans and communes," said Chaplain Wagg. "There was a wide range of persons to deal with, especially with regards to age. In the Army you have healthy people, that's the big difference." Having never lived in Waiouru before, his plan is to take things slowly. "My first hope is that through visitation our worshipping community may find a focal point. After that, offering something to the children in the form of faith education. And as time goes on some form of continuing faith education for the adults." Chaplain Wagg may be a bit dubious about the Waiouru weather but his experience so far has been positive. "It's nice to meet up with people again that I knew when I was in Burnham, and to have even been remembered is more satisfying. It's also encouraging to see the growth in peoples lives, with their career progression and in their family life," he said.